Korea Late Winter Sonata 2015-Busan- Haeudae Somunan Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)

It was super cold when we reached Busan and we decided the 1st meal to have is of course Ginseng Chicken Soup or Samgyetang.

Unlike us, Koreans believed that Samgyetang should be consumed on the hottest day in the year not coldest.

Nevertheless, we went in search for it as it was crowned to be the most famous in Haeundae area and our apartment is 1 stop from here.

All wrapped up in cold Busan

Following the instructions of our guide book, we couldn't find the place. Mr Love was getting restless and I decided to take the plunge and ask someone. Turns out we got lucky with a local couple who told us they can recommend us some nicer place since they couldn't find the restaurant using their phones.

Guess what? The place they recommend and brought us there is exactly what we are looking for. Muhahaha. They were a bit embarrassed by the fact that we were all talking about the same restaurant after all but we were so grateful that they made an effort to help us out on the cold winter street and walked us to the restaurant :)

The restaurant was empty at 5pm and the ajummas were watching tv when we went in. They only serve samgyetang here though there are a few varieties. The menu have English and Chinese translation and we have no problem ordering by pointing at what we want.

Menu on the wall

Cashier area

Herbs on display

Drinks menu

As usual, side dishes were served 1st. But I didn't like their kimchi as it was not those conventional kind. The kimchi served here is crunchy kind of vegetable coated with gochujang only and the tastes are like separated.

 Also served is chicken innards though we do not know which part it is. I was very scared of innards but this have literally no smell at all, plus there is some chilli paste to go with it.

 There is also a complimentary small bottle of ginseng wine. We tried it but was scared by the strong taste. I poured in a cup into the samgyetang. Mr Love cannot stand the taste and I end up drinking the whole bottle hoping to warm myself up in the cold weather.

Ginseng wine

 We ordered 2 traditional samgyetang at KRW 12,000 (SGD 14.80)each. It was served 5min after we ordered and piping hot. I love the hot piping soup and the chicken was cooked till tendered but not too over.

The chicken broth is clear and sweet and not forgetting the glutinous rice stuff in the belly of the chicken. Really fulfilling and we finished it in no time since were famished and this is the first decent meal of the day.

Samgyetang

Shop front

 While paying, we asked the owner whether did they just shifted the shop as my guide book gave a different address. He said they had moved here less than a month. Really lucky that we met the kind couple earlier else we wouldn't have found here since we couldn't read hangul.

Side of shop

Directions:

1). Take the metro to Haeundae station.
2). Take Exit 3
3). Walk straight once you are out of the exit and till you hit the big intersection facing the beach. Novotel Busan should be opposite you at the intersection.
4). Turn left at the intersection (Need not cross road).
5). Walk straight. You should pass Kia & Audi car show rooms on the way
6). At the 1st big intersection, turn left. You should see Story Guest house opposite you.
7).  You should see the shop front once you turn in to the small alley (At diagonally right)

Street name

Turn left once you see this opposite you

Taken at the intersection before turning left

The big intersection

 Hopefully my directions and pictures helped since we had a hard time finding the place. May those reading will have an easier time than us:)